Are vinyl shower curtains safe?
While the Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) recently reported that shower curtains made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) can be a health hazard, not everyone agrees. “Our expert staff did a cursory review of the report released on shower curtains and found many problems with the methodology,” says Julie Vallese, director of information and public affairs for the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission. Nevertheless, this is not the first time the safety of shower curtains has been questioned. A 2002 Environmental Protection Agency study found that these curtains release several hazardous chemicals. The CHEJ’s research goes even further, showing that over a span of 28 days, new vinyl shower curtains release 108 potentially toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs). What’s more, it’s these potentially hazardous chemicals that produce the distinctive “new shower curtain smell.” Inhaling VOCs has been linked to ear, nose and throat irritation; headaches; and — more worrisome —
